The Journey (Sancharram) (2004) (NR)

synopsis

Set in the lush, rural Kerala, Chicagoan Ligy J. Pullappally's lyrical, lesbian-themed story covers territory rarely visited by Malayalam filmmakers. The Journey begins with the childhood friendship between beautiful, outgoing Delilah, a Christian girl, and the sober, idealistic, and inwardly focused Kiran, whose Nair family settles next door. They quickly become inseparable, and in time Kiran feels attracted to Delilah, but suppresses it. She finds a Cyrano de Bergerac like outlet by writing love letters to Delilah for Rajan, a local boy pursuing her. When Delilah learns the truth about the letters, she responds to Kiran. As neighbors begin to talk, Delilah's family flies into panic mode with arranged marriage plans. Meanwhile Kiran fights back, leaving Delilah in the middle of a tug of war. Nicely sketching the local color, customs and characters in a primarily maternal society, Pullappally achieves a piquancy that deepens a sensitively drawn story.